News Flash

City Manager's Office

Posted on: April 12, 2018

City Announces Members of Portland Disability Advisory Committee

The City of Portland is pleased to announce the members of the Portland Disability Advisory Committee (PDAC), which advises the City Manager on issues of importance to people with disabilities and also recommends policies, practices, and legislation in matters affecting people with disabilities consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Committee Membership includes a diverse array of individuals, including business owners, individuals with disabilities, family members of individuals with disabilities, and representatives of organizations that advocate on behalf of the disabled, all of whom share a collective commitment to help create inclusion and quality lives for individuals with disabilities in the City of Portland.

The Committee Members are:

Hanna Aistrop, individual member residing in Portland

Michelle Ames, representing Disability Rights Maine

Lisette Belanger, individual member residing in Portland

Bud Buzzell, individual member residing in Portland

William Campbell, Jr., Chairperson, individual member residing in Portland

Since the Members were appointed in September, 2017, the Committee has devoted time to a few important initiatives, most notably creating informational materials to educate Portland places of public accommodation about the many benefits of keeping closed captioning activated on at least one television in use. The Committee has also hosted a number of guest speakers on ADA-related topics, including City Manager Jon Jennings; Public Works Director Christopher Branch; Simon Thompson from the Portland Parks Conservancy; Zoe Miller, Project Manager at Greater Portland Council of Governments; and engineers from the engineering firm conducting the City’s ADA Self-Evaluation. The Committee is currently finalizing its priorities and initiatives to focus on in 2018.